I normally don't do this, but there is just something about this book that I had to write about it before I finished reading it. This book has merely hit me exactly where I need to be hit at the exact right time in my life and I could not be happier about it. I am sure many of you have heard of Francis Chan and David Platt, but many of you have probably not heard of the Multiply Movement.
This is a movement that began with the release of the book Multiply by Chan & Beuving w/ a forward from Platt. This is a book that is dedicated to leading people through the disciple making process. This process being the single most important thing that us as Christians have been called to do. It is established very clearly in Matthew 28 & Acts 1, that our job as disciples of Jesus Christ is to further his gospel through the making of disciples. But the interesting thing is that the disciple making process tends to get overlooked. Instead we focus on the conversion process and after the individual has accepted Christ we move on. This is not what God has called us to, but instead he understands that it is indeed a process to make a disciple. Thus Chan, Platt, & Beuving have set out to explain this process and make it applicable to the everyday Christian. Because this is a job for EVERY christian, it is important to put it into terms that EVERY christian can understand.
I have most recently been reading this book with the Student Leadership Team at the Uprising and they would agree that it has challenged them to go much further when it comes to spreading the gospel to their friends. It doesn't just stop at acceptance, but it is a process. This has also reminded our team that we are continuing to be made into disciples as we walk through this journey. It is really exciting to think about, that we are never done growing, changing, and being led into a deeper relationship with Christ.
This book can be picked up at your local bookstore or online bookstore. The great part about this is that the website www.multiplymovement.com has video lessons from each chapter available for FREE. This takes the reading that much further as you dissect what it means to be a disciple making disciples. Check out this book now, it WILL change the way you look at being a disciple.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Indie Thoughts // Normal Mind
Showing posts with label Decisions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Decisions. Show all posts
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Monday, November 5, 2012
On my Chest...
The expression of "wearing your heart on your chest" is something I had never really thought of till this moment. I would like to think of it in a little different way. I think that God does call us to truly wear our love of Christ on our chest, but I think that God lays others things on our heart that he would like to be included when people look at us. Most recently (besides everything else I have written about tonight) God has put on my heart the idea that we are disciples of Christ and that we have a job to do. But even outside of the fact that we have a job to do, Jesus has faith that we can do this job. He merely calls us to take up our cross, deny our own selfish ambitions, and follow him. Truly do what a disciple is which is be more like Christ (our rabbi) and follow him.
God is put it on my heart so much that I did not even realize it until I entitled an entire sermon series, "Going all in" challenging our students to have Bold Faith, Bold Obedience, & Bold Sacrifice. Little did I know God was going to talk directly to me in the midst of me talking to a group of 50 students on a weekly basis. I did not realize that he would be challenging me to truly think about the decision I have made with my life and will make with the rest of my life and ask am I denying myself and follow Christ or am I letting my crosses weigh me down? How are the decision I am making leading me closer to Christ and making me more like my rabbi.
If all we are called to do in this life is to love Christ and make him known, that is what I want all of my future decisions to display. I want people to look at my heart that is surely on my sleeve and see that it is stamped by Christ. I have a tattoo on my chest that is a price tag that is stamped with the word PAID. I did not do this to look cool or get an awesome Christian tattoo, instead I did this to remind myself that no matter what I do or have done my life has been paid by the blood of Christ. In response to that, what else can I do but follow the man that saved my life as close as possible.
Following my own selfish ambitions are merely the things that led Jesus to his death on the cross, so I am going to do all I can do to throw those down, turn around, and follow my savior, my christ, my sacrificial lamb.
That is what I wear on my sleeve. I wear a heart that has a stamp of payment on it and I have decided in order to glorify the man/God that saved my life, I am going to follow him with all everything that I have.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
God is put it on my heart so much that I did not even realize it until I entitled an entire sermon series, "Going all in" challenging our students to have Bold Faith, Bold Obedience, & Bold Sacrifice. Little did I know God was going to talk directly to me in the midst of me talking to a group of 50 students on a weekly basis. I did not realize that he would be challenging me to truly think about the decision I have made with my life and will make with the rest of my life and ask am I denying myself and follow Christ or am I letting my crosses weigh me down? How are the decision I am making leading me closer to Christ and making me more like my rabbi.
If all we are called to do in this life is to love Christ and make him known, that is what I want all of my future decisions to display. I want people to look at my heart that is surely on my sleeve and see that it is stamped by Christ. I have a tattoo on my chest that is a price tag that is stamped with the word PAID. I did not do this to look cool or get an awesome Christian tattoo, instead I did this to remind myself that no matter what I do or have done my life has been paid by the blood of Christ. In response to that, what else can I do but follow the man that saved my life as close as possible.
Following my own selfish ambitions are merely the things that led Jesus to his death on the cross, so I am going to do all I can do to throw those down, turn around, and follow my savior, my christ, my sacrificial lamb.
That is what I wear on my sleeve. I wear a heart that has a stamp of payment on it and I have decided in order to glorify the man/God that saved my life, I am going to follow him with all everything that I have.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
InstaUpdate...
Time once again to share with you some of my favorite snapshots from my favorite iPhone application Instagram. As it updates the application only continues to get better and better with more and more filters and effects to choose. So here we go:
So there ya have it, just a look at a couple of my favorite moments using the Instagram App. If you have not already follow me at username normallyindie . If you do not have an Instagram, grab yourself and iPhone or other smartphone of choice and download the free app. It is great and worth your time.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
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| Got to see it on Opening Day |
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| Hyde Park Comm. UMC A beautiful Sanctuary to Worship God |
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| Starbuck's Refreshers A must try if you are looking for a new drink. |
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| Most anticipated album of this year |
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| Mr. Austin Livingood |
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| Just some of the reading I have done this year |
So there ya have it, just a look at a couple of my favorite moments using the Instagram App. If you have not already follow me at username normallyindie . If you do not have an Instagram, grab yourself and iPhone or other smartphone of choice and download the free app. It is great and worth your time.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Time to Submit it...
In January of this year I accepted the position Community Youth Coordinator at Groesbeck United Methodist Church (soon to be changing to Student Ministries Pastor). This role includes directing and implementing an after school program for High School age students from Colerain HS and the surrounding area. With this comes funding and with this funding comes grant writing.
I am currently submitting a grant for Congregational Revitalization to the West Ohio Conference of United Methodist. It is an exciting opportunity that begin in February when I had the opportunity to travel to the conference offices in Columbus and sit through a seminar explaining just exactly what it meant to write a grant. After just over a month of editing, writing, and collecting it has come time to submit and in just two short days I will be submitting the grant for evaluation and approval at the West Ohio Conference. It is exciting, but also nerve-racking realizing that some of what we do here at CHAOS//Student Ministries could be dictated by the verdict that is returned after the submission of this grant. What I have come to realize is that not only is this a nerve racking opportunity, but it is also an opportunity to trust the living God who all in all is in control of all of our lives and the decisions that occur.
It got me thinking, in what other areas of my life is it important to submit and trust the Lord. I begin to think about my own personal finances and the well being of my family, the car troubles we find ourselves in as well as the continuing growth that comes with being an adult and I realize all of it. All of it must be submitted to the Lord, for in the midst of everything that seems to be so nerveracking and intimidating he finds a way to provide and not only provide for us, but be glorified in the process. When we think about life through that lens it makes it so much simpler. Asking the question how are my actions glorifying the Lord today and I am fully submitting and trusting the will of God to lead me through my life?
till another day,
normallyINDIE
I am currently submitting a grant for Congregational Revitalization to the West Ohio Conference of United Methodist. It is an exciting opportunity that begin in February when I had the opportunity to travel to the conference offices in Columbus and sit through a seminar explaining just exactly what it meant to write a grant. After just over a month of editing, writing, and collecting it has come time to submit and in just two short days I will be submitting the grant for evaluation and approval at the West Ohio Conference. It is exciting, but also nerve-racking realizing that some of what we do here at CHAOS//Student Ministries could be dictated by the verdict that is returned after the submission of this grant. What I have come to realize is that not only is this a nerve racking opportunity, but it is also an opportunity to trust the living God who all in all is in control of all of our lives and the decisions that occur.
It got me thinking, in what other areas of my life is it important to submit and trust the Lord. I begin to think about my own personal finances and the well being of my family, the car troubles we find ourselves in as well as the continuing growth that comes with being an adult and I realize all of it. All of it must be submitted to the Lord, for in the midst of everything that seems to be so nerveracking and intimidating he finds a way to provide and not only provide for us, but be glorified in the process. When we think about life through that lens it makes it so much simpler. Asking the question how are my actions glorifying the Lord today and I am fully submitting and trusting the will of God to lead me through my life?
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Book Review - Erasing Hell by Francis Chan & Preston Sprinkle...
If you are a Christian Nerd like me or a church leader of any sorts you probably been bombarded with the argument about the after life in recent months. There have been countless blog posts, status updates, and book written in response to the controversial book LoveWins by Rob Bell earlier this year. I recently spent the time reading one of these responses entitled Erasing Hell by Francis Chan & Preston Sprinkle. Being a fan of Chan's recent Basic DVD series I thought I would pick up this bit of light reading to see what he had to say regarding the topic of Hell and the after life in general.
All in all, I really was not impressed with the writing as a whole. I thought it lacked the quality authorship that Rob Bell and other scholars have on the topic. It seemed that Chan & Sprinkle were simply trying to make a response to the book LoveWins that would be readily available to the everyday Christian reading. I would have liked him to go much deeper on the topic and instead of focusing so much on the importance of the topic or on his disgrace with Bell, I would have enjoyed some deeper scholarly insight into the issue.
This book was not all bad, it has some great insight and questions regarding the character of God and how it is perceived by non-christians. It is described that for a non-christian it may be difficult for them to understand a God that wouldn't accept all into his holy place called heaven. I did enjoy the chapter regarding the clay and the potter. Much of the time we, being the clay, do believe that we can design the pot, but that would be ridiculous. For God is the potter and his divine hands are the one's molding this world. Therefore, as Jesus states in the first chapter of Acts, we are not to know the time and place of God's actions. This lack of control is something that must be considered when we are trying to live this life of sanctification and justification.
This book was an interesting look at the topic of Hell, but I would have enjoyed some deeper insight into the issue of Hell. Because I am not a fan of responsive writings, it made it difficult to dive deep into the text. If I were you I would grab the book LoveWins, Erasing Hell, and your bible translation of choice and pray that God will lead you to a biblically based interpretation of the issue of the afterlife. For all of these ideas lie in scripture and must be prayerfully considered by each individual Christian. Happy Studying.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
All in all, I really was not impressed with the writing as a whole. I thought it lacked the quality authorship that Rob Bell and other scholars have on the topic. It seemed that Chan & Sprinkle were simply trying to make a response to the book LoveWins that would be readily available to the everyday Christian reading. I would have liked him to go much deeper on the topic and instead of focusing so much on the importance of the topic or on his disgrace with Bell, I would have enjoyed some deeper scholarly insight into the issue.
This book was not all bad, it has some great insight and questions regarding the character of God and how it is perceived by non-christians. It is described that for a non-christian it may be difficult for them to understand a God that wouldn't accept all into his holy place called heaven. I did enjoy the chapter regarding the clay and the potter. Much of the time we, being the clay, do believe that we can design the pot, but that would be ridiculous. For God is the potter and his divine hands are the one's molding this world. Therefore, as Jesus states in the first chapter of Acts, we are not to know the time and place of God's actions. This lack of control is something that must be considered when we are trying to live this life of sanctification and justification.
This book was an interesting look at the topic of Hell, but I would have enjoyed some deeper insight into the issue of Hell. Because I am not a fan of responsive writings, it made it difficult to dive deep into the text. If I were you I would grab the book LoveWins, Erasing Hell, and your bible translation of choice and pray that God will lead you to a biblically based interpretation of the issue of the afterlife. For all of these ideas lie in scripture and must be prayerfully considered by each individual Christian. Happy Studying.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Monday, January 2, 2012
Graduation...
For all of my readers out there, it was just 3.5 short years ago when I headed to CCU and spent decided to plunge into the bible college lifestyle. Although it wasn't what you all may have thought (bible studies, candle ceremonies, and prayer circles), it was an experience that I will never forget.
My time here at CCU I have met some great people who have come and gone, had some great times, some great food, not to mention met the love of my life (Jennifer Schroeder) who I will have the honor of marrying on March 10th of this year. For those of you who have been a part of my life during this season you will understand these events and here are just a couple that were the highlights:
The Hillsong Concert
Blackout 08
Charlene
Room 447
4 North
Rine Open Dorms
Urban Active
Hubcaps
Fountain Square
Cliff Jumping Part 1 & 2
October 16, 2009
Ed in Australia
Corner Bloc Coffee Shop
Vineyard Tri-County
Vineyard Small Group
Fall Weekend
Family Dinners
Bloc Staff Meetings
Internships
Y.M.O.P
Bro Time on the Bridge
Chuggington
Ty & Jerm's Dorm Room
the Hilltop
Purple Thunder
October 7th, 2010
Skyline
Ghetto Walmart
Slushies
Late Night Bball with T-Cad
Graduation - May 12th, 2012
Coming Soon - March 10th, 2012 "Our Big Day"
Each of these events have a special place in my heart and the people that I shared these events with have helped to shape the person that I am today. I am so excited to have met you all and especially to continue in a relationship with you for the rest of my life. Thank you for the time that we have had and I look forward to seeing where we all go in the future.
love you all
till another day,
normallyINDIE
My time here at CCU I have met some great people who have come and gone, had some great times, some great food, not to mention met the love of my life (Jennifer Schroeder) who I will have the honor of marrying on March 10th of this year. For those of you who have been a part of my life during this season you will understand these events and here are just a couple that were the highlights:
The Hillsong Concert
Blackout 08
Charlene
Room 447
4 North
Rine Open Dorms
Urban Active
Hubcaps
Fountain Square
Cliff Jumping Part 1 & 2
October 16, 2009
Ed in Australia
Corner Bloc Coffee Shop
Vineyard Tri-County
Vineyard Small Group
Fall Weekend
Family Dinners
Bloc Staff Meetings
Internships
Y.M.O.P
Bro Time on the Bridge
Chuggington
Ty & Jerm's Dorm Room
the Hilltop
Purple Thunder
October 7th, 2010
Skyline
Ghetto Walmart
Slushies
Late Night Bball with T-Cad
Graduation - May 12th, 2012
Coming Soon - March 10th, 2012 "Our Big Day"
Each of these events have a special place in my heart and the people that I shared these events with have helped to shape the person that I am today. I am so excited to have met you all and especially to continue in a relationship with you for the rest of my life. Thank you for the time that we have had and I look forward to seeing where we all go in the future.
love you all
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Here We Go...
Today marks the last day of my internship at Emmanuel Church of Greenwood, Movement Student Ministries and the last day of my college career at Cincinnati Christian University. Upon the completion of my internship this friday I will officially be graduating from college with a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies and Youth Ministry. It has been an exciting 3.5 years of college, but that is not what I am here to write about. It is an end of an era with Greenwood, IN. I have spent the last nine months of my life working at my beautiful fiancé's home church working with the Student Ministries team. I had the honor and privilege of working with a youth pastor named Shane Combs who has taught me how to be a man of God that truly cares for every person he sees including strangers, his family, and especially his wife. He has been a perfect example for me as a man and I am so excited to be partnering in ministry with him in the future.
Speaking of the future, last weekend I had received some amazing news. As many of you know it has been a long journey of applying for jobs, searching interviewing, and praying. In October I had the opportunity to interview with Benji Sayre of Groesbeck United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, OH. This job I found on the work database of CCU's website under the title of Community Youth Coordinator. Benji explained this job as a split between a co-youth pastor and a director of their after school program called CHAOS which caters to intercity high school and jr. high students in the Colerain area. After working with Bloc Ministries in the West Price Hill area for the past two years, this job really enticed me. At the end of the interview they gave me an opportunity to interview for a second time with the church search team. Although this interview was a little later than I would have liked it to be, it took place December 3rd at 10am. I was interviewed in three separate rooms by three separates groups of people. Although I was not used to this format, I felt that I thrived in it. Jenny and I then took some time to head to our favorite coffee shop in Cincinnati (Corner Bloc Coffee Shop). This is when I got the call I had been waiting for for the past six months. Benji gave me a call and let me know they are offering me the position as the Community Youth Coordinator for Groesbeck United Methodist Church Student Ministries. This was the answer to our prayers and Jennifer and I had been waiting for months for this to happen. It became official on Tuesday morning when I accepted the offer to work with the church.
It is a new beginning that will lead my future wife Jennifer and I to a new home in Cincinnati and on January 2nd I begin the journey of ministry that I have been praying for since my call to ministry when I was sixteen years old. We could not be more excited for the fact that God is leading us and we are merely following. It if were me I would have loved to have gotten the first job that I applied for in June, but little did I know since the opportunity I had a Bloc in 2009, God had been grooming me for this type of ministry.
But with new beginnings comes goodbyes. I would love to take this time to mention those people that truly ministered to me in the past eight months. I have spent countless hours talking with Shane Combs and Jason Beck, two men that I would trust my life with, Thank You. I have spent hours drinking coffee with Adam Ferrel, a high school student I am truly excited to see God minister through him. He motivates me every day to become more and more like Christ, Thank You. Eating lunches with Dallas Havens, talking about college and working through issues that completely can cripple us, Thank You. Every Tuesday morning at 6am, spending an hour studying scripture with my McTuesday boys. Working with my student small group leaders Makenzie Essig and Miranda Gladish, Thank You. Lastly, flying planes, working through family issues, and praying together with Jennifer & I's small group leaders, Ralph and Lucy Hill, Thank You. All of these people have had such an amazing influence on my life and I am so ready to continue in ministry with them over the next couple of years. But it truly saddens me to leave this family here in Greenwood and move to our new home.
But what I do understand is that God is going to provide people for this new season of life that will teach us and provide us with the opportunity for growth. This season of life here in Greenwood, IN God has been preparing us the next opportunity. This next opportunity is leading Jennifer and I to Groesbeck United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, OH and we could not be more honored to partner with God in this. We are praising God and saying thank you everyday and cannot wait for what is to come. Here we Go...
till another Day,
normallyINDIE
Speaking of the future, last weekend I had received some amazing news. As many of you know it has been a long journey of applying for jobs, searching interviewing, and praying. In October I had the opportunity to interview with Benji Sayre of Groesbeck United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, OH. This job I found on the work database of CCU's website under the title of Community Youth Coordinator. Benji explained this job as a split between a co-youth pastor and a director of their after school program called CHAOS which caters to intercity high school and jr. high students in the Colerain area. After working with Bloc Ministries in the West Price Hill area for the past two years, this job really enticed me. At the end of the interview they gave me an opportunity to interview for a second time with the church search team. Although this interview was a little later than I would have liked it to be, it took place December 3rd at 10am. I was interviewed in three separate rooms by three separates groups of people. Although I was not used to this format, I felt that I thrived in it. Jenny and I then took some time to head to our favorite coffee shop in Cincinnati (Corner Bloc Coffee Shop). This is when I got the call I had been waiting for for the past six months. Benji gave me a call and let me know they are offering me the position as the Community Youth Coordinator for Groesbeck United Methodist Church Student Ministries. This was the answer to our prayers and Jennifer and I had been waiting for months for this to happen. It became official on Tuesday morning when I accepted the offer to work with the church.
It is a new beginning that will lead my future wife Jennifer and I to a new home in Cincinnati and on January 2nd I begin the journey of ministry that I have been praying for since my call to ministry when I was sixteen years old. We could not be more excited for the fact that God is leading us and we are merely following. It if were me I would have loved to have gotten the first job that I applied for in June, but little did I know since the opportunity I had a Bloc in 2009, God had been grooming me for this type of ministry.
But with new beginnings comes goodbyes. I would love to take this time to mention those people that truly ministered to me in the past eight months. I have spent countless hours talking with Shane Combs and Jason Beck, two men that I would trust my life with, Thank You. I have spent hours drinking coffee with Adam Ferrel, a high school student I am truly excited to see God minister through him. He motivates me every day to become more and more like Christ, Thank You. Eating lunches with Dallas Havens, talking about college and working through issues that completely can cripple us, Thank You. Every Tuesday morning at 6am, spending an hour studying scripture with my McTuesday boys. Working with my student small group leaders Makenzie Essig and Miranda Gladish, Thank You. Lastly, flying planes, working through family issues, and praying together with Jennifer & I's small group leaders, Ralph and Lucy Hill, Thank You. All of these people have had such an amazing influence on my life and I am so ready to continue in ministry with them over the next couple of years. But it truly saddens me to leave this family here in Greenwood and move to our new home.
But what I do understand is that God is going to provide people for this new season of life that will teach us and provide us with the opportunity for growth. This season of life here in Greenwood, IN God has been preparing us the next opportunity. This next opportunity is leading Jennifer and I to Groesbeck United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, OH and we could not be more honored to partner with God in this. We are praising God and saying thank you everyday and cannot wait for what is to come. Here we Go...
till another Day,
normallyINDIE
Monday, November 21, 2011
In the Ministry...
Now when I say "the Ministry" I am not referring the the Ministry of Magic from the world of Harry Potter (excited that the final Harry Potter Movie came out), I am referring to the Ministry of Jesus Christ. It has been a few weeks now, but on October 29th 2011 I had the opportunity to become an ordained minister into the Christian Church/Church of Christ Non-demoninational sect of Christianity. That sounds like a lot, but in laymen's terms that means I have become an ordained minister into the Christian faith. What this means is that I now have the ability to perform wedding ceremonies, funeral ceremonies, and am considered an ordained ministers while applying for jobs. It is a great benefit, but most of all it is the ushering in of a new member into the ministry of pastors that have been thousands of years in the making.
My wonderful fiancé put together a ceremony to commemorate all of my achievements as a student as well as my call to ministry. The night included words from Joel Craig who has been my mentor in ministry since the beginning of my call in Junior High, my granny Gladys Wheeler, who despite her absence was able to send an audio of touching words of leadership (she has been my motivation to pursue ministry since I was a little boy), and lastly my father Jeff Tod who I was baptized with and have looked up to since I was able to speak my first words. I was given the opportunity at the end of the night to share a little bit about my vision for ministry as well as my gratitude for those around me. I was truly honored to have been given this call by to go into ministry and each of the people that spoke had amazing impacts on my life in a vital way.
God has called me into the ministry and this ordination was just one of hundreds of thousands of steps. After taking this first step, I look forward to continuing on this journey of life with my beautiful fiancé by my side and our call into ministry leading us. God is going to do amazing things through us and I just hope I am one of his many tools that he uses to spread the gospel to the ends of the Earth.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
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| Official Invitations designed by Turquoise Feathers |
My wonderful fiancé put together a ceremony to commemorate all of my achievements as a student as well as my call to ministry. The night included words from Joel Craig who has been my mentor in ministry since the beginning of my call in Junior High, my granny Gladys Wheeler, who despite her absence was able to send an audio of touching words of leadership (she has been my motivation to pursue ministry since I was a little boy), and lastly my father Jeff Tod who I was baptized with and have looked up to since I was able to speak my first words. I was given the opportunity at the end of the night to share a little bit about my vision for ministry as well as my gratitude for those around me. I was truly honored to have been given this call by to go into ministry and each of the people that spoke had amazing impacts on my life in a vital way.
God has called me into the ministry and this ordination was just one of hundreds of thousands of steps. After taking this first step, I look forward to continuing on this journey of life with my beautiful fiancé by my side and our call into ministry leading us. God is going to do amazing things through us and I just hope I am one of his many tools that he uses to spread the gospel to the ends of the Earth.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Friday, November 18, 2011
Senioritis...
It will be 4 short weeks and I, Alec Myles Tod, will be graduating from Cincinnati Christian University with a Bachelor of Sciences in Biblical Studies and Youth Ministry. It was 3 years in the making, but I am finally at the point when I can begin to call myself a college grad. It is one thing to be a college student and have that satisfaction under my belt of learning, but it is yet another to say that I am the first of the immediate Tod family to graduate from college. My mother and father both did not graduate from college for different reasons, therefore growing up and graduating from the school of handwork and discipline. They have worked very hard to get to the position they are in now, specifically my dad, and this is just the next step for me in that hard working journey.
But with this upcoming deadline comes a disease that is contagious and is known as "Senioritis". Yes, I was treated for this disease in the fall of 2007 when I became a High School senior. Throughout High school I was given amazing opportunities to excel and senior year was no exception. But it seemed that I was so concerned about what was going to happen in college the next fall, that I forgot what was right in front of me. Because of my impatience and anticipation, I lost opportunity to speak with people about Jesus Christ. I was so ready to continue on this journey that God calls life, that I did not realize the rest area would be humanity. These lost opportunities have motivated me to become the person I am today, a fully dedicated life to the service of students.
In the same situation, it is only 4 shorts week away and I too will be feeling the true affects of senioritis. I am battling these feelings as week speak with some going for me outside of work at Emmanuel Church of Greenwood. Graduating Dec. 2011, Start a new job Jan. 1 2012, Getting Married (March 10, 2012), walking at commencement May 12, 2012. As these major events have me looking at least 8 months in advance.
But what I have come to realize is that we have been placed in every situation we see ourselves in for a reason. That the most important thing to realize is to passionately spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. For me, in this very moment, I have been placed at both Emmanuel Church of Greenwood and One Mission Society for a specific reason. Although that passion may fizzle, I have begun to realize that worshipping God through the obedience and trusting your life with Christ is what must happen.
As a senior I look forward to every day that I am given and especially the opportunities that are placed before me, whether it be marriage, a job, or merely speaking the truth of the gospel to a person that I meet. I am truly honored to be a small part in the redemption of this earth.
Till another day,
normallyINDIE
But with this upcoming deadline comes a disease that is contagious and is known as "Senioritis". Yes, I was treated for this disease in the fall of 2007 when I became a High School senior. Throughout High school I was given amazing opportunities to excel and senior year was no exception. But it seemed that I was so concerned about what was going to happen in college the next fall, that I forgot what was right in front of me. Because of my impatience and anticipation, I lost opportunity to speak with people about Jesus Christ. I was so ready to continue on this journey that God calls life, that I did not realize the rest area would be humanity. These lost opportunities have motivated me to become the person I am today, a fully dedicated life to the service of students.
In the same situation, it is only 4 shorts week away and I too will be feeling the true affects of senioritis. I am battling these feelings as week speak with some going for me outside of work at Emmanuel Church of Greenwood. Graduating Dec. 2011, Start a new job Jan. 1 2012, Getting Married (March 10, 2012), walking at commencement May 12, 2012. As these major events have me looking at least 8 months in advance.
But what I have come to realize is that we have been placed in every situation we see ourselves in for a reason. That the most important thing to realize is to passionately spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. For me, in this very moment, I have been placed at both Emmanuel Church of Greenwood and One Mission Society for a specific reason. Although that passion may fizzle, I have begun to realize that worshipping God through the obedience and trusting your life with Christ is what must happen.
As a senior I look forward to every day that I am given and especially the opportunities that are placed before me, whether it be marriage, a job, or merely speaking the truth of the gospel to a person that I meet. I am truly honored to be a small part in the redemption of this earth.
Till another day,
normallyINDIE
Monday, August 22, 2011
Ink...
Tattoos are a huge part of my life and even more a part of my fiancé Jennifer Schroeder's life. I started getting tattoos in 2007 for my 18th birthday. This tattoo was really simple, but it has a great place in my heart as my first tattoo. This tattoo is a wooden cross with thorns wrapped around and a sign that says "KING" at the top. Although this tattoo is small and may possibly needs some more work added to it, it was my first and always will be.
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| Left Shoulder Blade Corey @ Artkore Tattoo Normal, IL |
My next tattoo came a couple of years later a few months after I started dating my now fiancé Jenny Schroeder. This tattoo came 2 years later, this time a present for my 20th birthday from my fiancé. This tattoo took a lot more thought and the basis behind this tattoo is Jesus Christ. It is a price tag that is tattered and torn this symbolizing us as humans broken and torn without hope. Printed on the tag is the word "PAID" symbolizing the fact that our tattered and broken lives are paid for. Then as the tattoo continues there is a crown on the corner of the price tag with purple blood dripping down. This symbolizing that Jesus has paid our sins and given us hope. His blood is purple (purple being the color of royalty) and he is the true KING.
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| Right Chest Skinquake Greenwood, IN |
Now the addiction really began as my hope to get more and more tattoos grew. This time it was about a year and a half. This was much more spontaneous. Jenny and I were merely feeling like getting another tattoo so I found some script that was meaningful to me. This tattoo is actually traditional Greek and it is the word POWER referring to Acts 1:8 which states "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you." Jesus is speaking to his disciples just before he ascends up to heaven. This verse has been the center of my life throughout college and it has kept me focused on my future and my role that God has for my life.
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| Left Forearm Artistic Design Indianapolis, IN |
My latest tattoo came much quicker and has meant more to me than any other tattoo I have. This tattoo is a symbol completely for my fiancé Jennifer Schroeder who is an artist at heart and always will be the most talented artist I know. This tattoo came just a couple weeks ago in August of 2011. This is an artist's palette symbolizing her artistic talent, it includes four colors on the palette. Starting from the left is the color red symbolizing how powerful, independent, and strong she is. Next, is orange (one of her favorite colors) symbolizing her happiness, bright attitude, and the sunshine in her eyes. Then comes Purple which symbolizes royalty and the fact that Jennifer is my princess. the final color is turquoise which is her favorite color, this is also the color that is on the brush. This tattoo came our of my dedication to her and the future e will have together.
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| Right Hand T.J. @ Irish Ink Greenwood, IN |
Tattoos are a huge part of my life and there will be many more to come with about 10 more ideas to come including a tattoo Jenny and I will be getting together in order to symbolize our wedding. When I got my first tattoo I did not think I would be a heavily tattooed person, but as my journey in life has continued and my love of tattoos has grown I have begun to realize that this would become a reality for my fiancé and I.
Till another Day,
normallyINDIE
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Decisions?
As many of you know, I am engaged to the most amazing girl in the world, Jenny Schroeder (www.turquoisefeathers.com) and with this comes a lot of new things. Specifically we have a lot of decisions to make. These decisions range from where we want to go on a date to where do we wanna live. We are visiting a few apartment complexes this coming week and I am currently in the process of applying for church positions for my looming graduation date coming December 2011.
All of these decisions are things that Jenny and I were not ready for, but we are facing them head on. With the decisions that this high of a level, they can easily become overwhelming. But like most people who call themselves followers of God, we say we trust in God to provide. I too find myself saying this, but after saying this I still find myself trying to make a certain outcome happen. For it is easy to trust God when things just keep coming, but when you are in my situation, trusting God is something of its' own. I have found that in order to truly trust God with everything, I must not worry about what is to come. I am looking for a job, but I must trust that God will provide me with exactly what I need. We are looking for a place to live and I must trust God that he will provide a neighborhood for us. Trusting God with the unknown is something I am learning and trusting that God will truly work for the good of those who love him.
If we as believers truly do trust in God that means not worrying about how God is going to work, but just trusting that he will.
God works for the good of those who love him, therefore we must truly trust that he will do so.
All of these decisions are things that Jenny and I were not ready for, but we are facing them head on. With the decisions that this high of a level, they can easily become overwhelming. But like most people who call themselves followers of God, we say we trust in God to provide. I too find myself saying this, but after saying this I still find myself trying to make a certain outcome happen. For it is easy to trust God when things just keep coming, but when you are in my situation, trusting God is something of its' own. I have found that in order to truly trust God with everything, I must not worry about what is to come. I am looking for a job, but I must trust that God will provide me with exactly what I need. We are looking for a place to live and I must trust God that he will provide a neighborhood for us. Trusting God with the unknown is something I am learning and trusting that God will truly work for the good of those who love him.
If we as believers truly do trust in God that means not worrying about how God is going to work, but just trusting that he will.
God works for the good of those who love him, therefore we must truly trust that he will do so.
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